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You will be admitted to one of the wards before the biopsy. You will be brought to the Radiology Department and will have the biopsy either in the CT scanner room, or in a special X-ray room.

In the X-ray room, you will be asked to lie on the table and a camera will move you, but not touch you.

The biopsy is done under local anaesthetic, so you will have a small injection in your skin at the site for biopsy, but you will not be sedated. You will be asked to hold your breath while a very thin needle is put into your lung to take a small sample of cells. This may need to be done a few times to get enough cells. After the biopsy you will have an X-ray and return to the ward for a few hours. You may be able to go home later in the day, but should bring an overnight bag with you in case you need to stay in hospital.

Sometimes bleeding occurs after a lung biopsy and you may cough up some blood.

A serious amount of bleeding occurs only rarely. When a needle is put through a lung, an air-leak may develop. If this is small, it may not cause you any problems.

If a lot of air leaks out you may be short of breath and need a small tube in your chest to release any air that has leaked. You will be monitored for a few hours after the biopsy on a ward. Tell the nursing staff if you have any problems after the biopsy.

Should you have any worries or concerns, please make these known to the person conducting the procedure by contacting the appropriate hospital department either by the helpline telephone number or by letter addressed to the Department Manager, as below:

Royal Victoria Infirmary

The Departmental Manager

X-ray Department, Level 3

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Queen Victoria Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Tel: (0191) 282 1099

Freeman Hospital

The Departmental Manager

Main X-ray Department

FreemanHospital

High Heaton

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE7 7DN

Tel: (0191) 282 1099

Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5.00pm

All Newcastle Hospitals: Switchboard Tel: (0191) 233 6161

If you need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on: